CVE-2008-0934 in Nukec Module
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in modules.php in the NukeC 2.1 module for PHP-Nuke allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id_catg parameter in a ViewCatg action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0934 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the NukeC 2.1 module for PHP-Nuke, specifically affecting the modules.php script. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user-supplied input within the ViewCatg action, where the id_catg parameter fails to properly sanitize or validate incoming data before incorporating it into SQL query construction. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and improper query parameterization techniques that allow malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands through the vulnerable parameter.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which classifies SQL injection as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious input for the id_catg parameter that alters the intended SQL query execution path. When the application processes this parameter without proper escaping or parameterized queries, the injected SQL commands execute with the privileges of the database user associated with the PHP-Nuke application. This creates a pathway for unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion across the affected database systems.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability exposes organizations running PHP-Nuke with the NukeC 2.1 module to significant security risks including complete database compromise, data exfiltration, and potential system takeover. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability without requiring physical access or prior authentication to the system. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, where attackers leverage publicly accessible web applications to gain unauthorized access. The attack surface extends to any organization using the vulnerable module, potentially affecting user accounts, content management systems, and underlying database infrastructure.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-0934 should prioritize immediate implementation of input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection exploitation. Organizations must ensure that all user-supplied input, particularly the id_catg parameter, undergoes proper sanitization before database interaction. The recommended approach includes implementing prepared statements or parameterized queries, which separate SQL command structure from data values, thereby eliminating the risk of command injection. Additionally, input validation should enforce strict type checking and length limitations for the id_catg parameter to prevent malformed inputs from reaching the database layer. Security patches or updates from the PHP-Nuke community should be applied immediately, and organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious SQL injection attempts. The remediation process should also include comprehensive code review of the modules.php file to identify and address similar vulnerabilities in other parameters or functions within the NukeC module.